Automatic cistern cut-off and filter.



Patented Apr. l0, I900.

. HARRIS A. B. B

AUTOMATIC GISTERN CUT -OFF AND FILTER.

(Application filed. July 29, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Shoot (No Model.)

amvmto c No. 47,259. Patented Apr. I0, 1900.

A. B. B. HARRIS.

AUTOMATIC GISTERN GUT-OFF AND FILTER.

(Application file d July 29, 1899.)

awoawtoz )Uibmow llexazzderfljilamk M04 04 a! attoznmg UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER B. B. HARRIS, O F BRISTOL, TENNESSEE.

AUTOMATIC CISTERN CUT-OFF AND FILTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 647,259, dated April 10,1900.

Application filed July 29, 1899. Serial No. 725,473. (No model.)

T ctl whom it may concern-r Be it known that I, ALEXANDER B. B. HAR:BIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bristol, in the countyof Sullivan and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and usefulAutomatic Gistern Out-Off and Filter, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to apparatus of that character commonly known ascistern cutofis and filters, and it has for one object to provide animproved automatically-operating apparatus of this character havingsimple and efficient means for positively draining the wash-water andtrash from the roof before filtering and delivering the clear water intothe cistern.

To this end the invention primarilycontemplates anautomatically-operating cistern cutoff and filter having the partsthereof so constructed and arranged as to provide for draining the dirtywater and trash from the roof a sufficient length of time, proportionateto the amount of rainfall and size of the roof, before any water ispermitted to be delivered into the cistern.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for completelydraining or carrying oft light rains, thereby insuring the delivery ofwater into the cistern only when the rainfall is sufiicient to wash theroof and the water becomes clear.

Another important object of the invention is to so construct theapparatus that during the rainfall the same will automatically open upat intervals and give the filter proper an opportunity to clean itself.

In accomplishing the several objects a the invention obviates theobjections to that type of cistern cut-offs and filters which arearranged to operate within a given period irre: spective of the amountof rainfall, so that in a short heavy rain no advantage can be taken ofthe same to supply the cistern, because the apparatus will not come intoplay sufficiently quick to secure this result, whereas in the presentinvention the action of the apparatus is dependent upon the amount ofrainfall, thusinsuring delivery of clean water into the cistern wheneverthere is sufficient rain for the water to Wash the roof and run clear.

With these and other objects in view, which will more readily appear asthe nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists inthe novel construction, combination, and arrangement of partshereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

The essential features of the invention are susceptible of somemodification without departing from the scope or principle thereof;

but the preferred embodiment of the improvements is shown in theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view ofan automatic cistern cut-0E and filter constructed in accordance withthis invention and showing the operative parts in their normalpositions. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the cut-off valve closed tocause the water to pass through the filter and into the cistern and alsoshowing the float-operated controlling device associated with thecistern to prevent overflowing of the same. Figs. 3 and 4 are detailsectional views,respectively, on the line 3 3 and4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5is a detail sectional view showing a modification of the apparatus inwhich the distributing-chamber for the dirty water and trash is shownarranged at the top of. the filter-tank instead of at the bottom.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in the severalfigures of the drawings.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 designates afilter-tank of any suitable capacity and shape and inclosed at the topby a suitable lid or cover 2. The said filter-tank has arranged withinthe bottom thereof a removable false bottom 3, which provides a supportfor the strata of filtering material 4, placed within the tank, andwhich filter material may consist of charcoal, sand, or other substancewhich is usually employed for this purpose. The perforate false bottom 3is preferably of a conical shape and is provided at its under side witha plurality of supporting-feet 5, resting upon the main bottom of thetank and serving to hold the false bottom elevated a suificientdistanceabove the sameto provide an open chamber through which the dirty waterand trash may readily flow during the period of draining oi the washingsof the roof before permitting the clear water to pass to the cistern.

The washings, as well as the clear water, from the roof pass through theinlet-pipe 6 into the filter-tank,said inlet-pipe connecting with theusual spout and guttering of the roof in the ordinary way and connectingwith the filter-tank at or near the bottom thereof, below the plane ofthe perforate false bottom 3 therein, so that all the washings and waterfrom the roof enter the filter-tank below the perforate false bottomwhich supports the filtering material. To provide for the discharge ofthe dirty wash-water and trash which come from the roof through theinlet-pipe 6 the filter-tank 1 is provided in the main bottom thereofwith a bottom dischargeopening 7 and a conical neck 8, fitted in andextending below the plane of said opening to provide for carrying offthe dirty water and trash, and the outlet-port through the said neck 8is proportioned to the size of the roof, so it has sufficient capacityto carry ofi any amount of water that will wash the roof. 1

The passage of the dirty water and trash through the discharge-opening 7and the neck 8, leading therefrom, is controlled by a cutoff valve 9.This valve is preferably of the disk type and snugly Works within theconical neck 8, which forms a seat therefor. The said Valve 9 is fittedto the upper end of a valve-stem 10, extending through and below theneck 8 and pivotally connected at its lower end, as at 11, to anoscillatory valve-lever 12. The valve-lever 12 is pivotall y suspendedintermediate its ends from a hanger arm or strap 13, fastened to thetank at one side thereof and depending below the same to provide forholding the valve in an operative position below the plane of the mainbottom of the tank. The said valve-lever 12 is designed to support uponone end thereof an overbalanceweight 14, While the opposite end of thelever has connected therewith a water-bucket 15, whose bail 16 isadapted to be adjustably engaged in the notches 17, formed in the upperedge of the valve-lever. This adjustable connection of the water-bucketwith the valvelever provides for the proper relative adj ustment of saidwater-bucket and the overbalance-weight14, according to the rapiditywith which it is desired for the valve to be controlled by the bucketwhen filled with water, and at this point it will be observed that thewater-bucket 15 is provided in the bottom thereof with a vent-opening18, which provides for draining said bucket of its water during, as wellas at the termination of, the rain, as will be hereinafter more fullyexplained. The dirty water and trash, which pass through thedischarge-opening 7 and the neck 8, extended therefrom, run into thedistributing-chamber 19. This distributingchamber for the dirty waterand trash is detachably or otherwise suitably fastened at its upper end,as at 20, to the under side of the tank and is arranged to extend belowand within the vertical plane of the said dischargeopening 7. Thedistributing-chamber19 is of a sufficient size to provide for properlycarryin g off the dirty water and trash and is provided with a dishedbottom 21, having a central drain-opening 22 therein, which drainopeningcorresponds to the outlet-port in the discharge-neck 8, as it isproportioned to the size of the roof, so as to be of sufficient capacityto carry off the amount of water necessary to wash the root. In thisconnection it will of course be understood that a light rain which isnot sufficient to wash the roof will all be carried off through thedrain-opening 22 without affecting the apparatus orpassing through thefiltering material thereof.

Above the plane of its dished bottom 21 the distributing-chamber 19 isprovided in diametrically-opposite sides with the overflow and wasteopenings 23 and 24, respectively, the overflow-opening 23 beingconveniently extended in the form of a slot to provide a. guideway forthe portion of the valve-lever 12 carrying the water-bucket. Theopposite waste-opening 24 is of a sufficient size to not only assist indisposing of the surplus water which backs up from the dished bottom 21,but also to form the outlet for trash and other sediment. The dischargeof the trash and sediment through the waste-opening 24 is facilitated byan inclined screen diaphragm 25, fitted within the lower portion of thedistributing-chamber 19 and serving to prevent the passing of the trashand sediment into the drain-opening 22 and also into the outlet-spout26, leading from one side of the distributingchamber and communicatingat its inner end with the overflow-opening23. The said spout 26 extendsat an inclination from the distributing-chamber 19 and overhangs thewaterbucket 15, which bucket is also overhung by the pendent leg of theoverflow-elbow 26. The upper arm 27 of the elbow is disposed at aninclination and is connected with thedischarge-neck 8 to receive Watertherefrom for the purpose of accelerating the filling of the bucketwhile the filter is cleansing and during the continuance of therainfall, as will be presently explained.

In the normal position of parts the weight 14 overbalances the emptybucket 15 and holds the cut-off valve 9 off its seat, thereby uncoveringthe opening 7 and the passage through the neck 8. With the part-s thuspositioned the initial portion of the water-that is, the dirtywash-water and trash coming from the roof will pass beneath the falsebottom 3 and into the distributing-chamber 19. The'drain-opening 22 willcarry off any amount of water that is insufficient to wash the roof; butan excess of this amount cannot find vent through said opening 22 andbacks up into the distributing-chamber 19, so as to overflow through theoverflow and waste openings 23 and 24, respectively. These openings areproportioned to the length of time the roof is permitted to wash, and tovary the area of the waste-opening 24 to graduate the dischargeaccording to the amount of rainfall the said opening 24; is preferablyconstructed of a flaring shape, as shown in detail, Fig. 3 of thedrawings. Being proportioned to the time the roof is permitted to wash,the overfiow and waste openings 23 and 24. will continue to carry offthe surplus wash-water a sufficient length of time before the water fromthe roof is caused to pass directly through the filtering material. Tosecure the operation of the apparatus when the fiow of water is ofsufi'icient volume, the Water from the overflowopening 23 passes throughthe outlet-spout 25 and into the bucket 15. When this bucket becomesfilled with Water, it overbalances the weight 14: and closes the valve9, thereby causing the clean water to pass up through the filteringmaterial 4. and thence through the delivery-pipe 28 into the cistern 29,of the ordinary. type.

After the parts have assumed the position described the water in thebucket 15 commences to drain therefrom through the ventopening 18 untilthe weight l i again overbalances said bucket and opens the cut-offvalve 9. This permits the large volume of water now in the filter-tankto rush out of the bottom discharge-opening, thereby cleansing thefilter. This outrush of water from the filter not only backs up throughthe outletspout 25, but also through the overflow-elbow 26, andconsequently the water-bucket 15 will be rapidly filled again, so as toclose the valve. This operation repeats itself continuously during therainfall, and consequently maintains the filter in a thoroughly-cleancondition and insures the delivery of clean water into the cistern.

In the event of the cistern becoming en tirely filled during the actionof the apparatus the further flow of water into the same is cut off by afloat-actuated controlling device. This controlling device essentiallyconsists of atrip-lever 29, pivotally supported on a stem 30, arisingfrom the top of the cistern and having connected to one end thereof astem 31 of a float 32, working'within the cistern, upon the watertherein. The opposite end of the trip-lever 29 is disposed over theweight-carrying end of the valve-lever 12 and descends upon said lever,so as to open the cut-off valve when the level of the water in thecistern rises to its maximum height.

A modification of the invention is shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, inwhich the main operating parts are arranged at the top of thefiltering-tank instead of at the bottom. In this modification thedistributing-chamber 19 is of precisely the same construction as thedistributing-chamber already described, but is fitted to the top of thefilter-tank so that the outlet-spout 25 will overhang the waterbucket15, arranged to Work within the top portion of the filter-tank andreceiving therethrough the valve-stem 10, to the lower end of which isfitted the cut-off valve 9, working within the discharge-neck 8 at thebottom of the filter-tank. The modified arrangement of parts alsoinvolves the positioning of the valve-lever 12 at the top of thefilter-tank and the covering of the filtering material with animperforate top plate 33, which prevents the dirty water and trash fromentering the filtering material as it is delivered from thedistributing-chamber 19 in the manner already described. Theimperforatetop plate 33, which forms a cover for the filtering material 4, isfitted into the upper end of a conducting-pipe 34, passing through thefiltering material and opening at its lower end into the chamber belowthe false bottom 3. When the valve 9 is open, the dirty water and trashfrom the distributing-chamber 19 pass ofi of the imperforate top plate33 into the conducting-pipe 34 and thence through the bottomdischarge-opening 7. When the waterbucket 15 fills from the outlet-spout26 in the manner already described, the valve 9 closes, and the waterwhich is then delivered into the top of the filtering-tank through thedistributing-chamber backs up through the filtering material it and.finds escape through the delivery-pipe 28 into the cistern.

With the modified arrangement of parts described it will of course beunderstood that the distributing-chamber 19 receives the wa ter directlyfrom the spouting of the building, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig.5.

If desired, the apparatus may be operated solely as a cistern cut-offwithout using filterin g material to filter the water. This would notrequire any change in the construction except the omission of thefiltering strata.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction, operation, andmany advantages of the herein-described automatic cis tern cut-ofifilter will be apparent to those skilled in the art without furtherdescription and it will be understood that changes in the size, shape,proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of theinvention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is- 1. In anapparatus of the class described, the combination of a tank having abottom discharge-opening, a cut-0E valve arranged to cover and uncoversaid opening, a weighted valve-lever operatively connected with thevalve to normally hold the same open, a water-bucket suspended from thevalve-lever, and a distributing-chamber having a bottom drain-opening,and an overflow-opening discharging into said bucket, substantially asset forth.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the tank havinga bottomdischarge-opening, a cut-off valve for said opening, a weightedvalve-lever for holding said valve normally open, a water-bucketsuspended from the valve-lever and normally overbalanced, and adistributing-chamber associated with the tank and provided with a bottomdrain-opening, and lateral overflow and waste openings,

one of which discharges into the water-bucket, substantially as setforth.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, a tank provided with a bottomdischargeopening, a cut-off valve for said opening, a weightedvalve-lever for normally holding the valve open, a water-bucketsuspended from the valve-lever normally overbalanced, and a distributingchamber associated with the tank, and provided with a bottomdrain-opening, oppositely-located overflow and waste openings, and anoutlet-spout leading from the overflow-opening and overhanging thewater-bucket, substantially as set forth.

4. In a cistern cut-01f and filter, a filtertank provided with a bottomdischarge-opening,a cut-off valve for said opening,a weightedvalve-lever connected with the valve-stem, a water-bucket suspended fromthe valve-lever and normally overbalanced, and a distributing-chamberassociated with the filter-tank, and provided with a dished bottomhaving a central drain-opening, a pair of overflow and waste openings,the latter of which is flared upwardly, and the former of whichdischarges into the water-bucket, and a screen-diaphragm arranged withinthe bottom portion of said chamber, substantially as set forth.

5. In an automatic cistern cut-off and filter, a filter-tank having abottom discharge-opening, a cut-ofi valve for said opening, a weightedvalve-lever connected with the valve-stem, a water-bucket suspended fromthe valve-lever, and normally overbalanced, and a distributing-chamberarranged in communication with said bottom discharge-opening andprovided with a bottom drain-opening, and also with an overflowdischarging into said bucket, substantially as set forth.

6. In an apparatus of the. class described, the combination of a tankhaving a dischargeopening, a normally-open valve for covering anduncovering said opening, means for carrying off a light volume of water,including the initial dirty wash-water, without affecting the positionof the valve, and separate means for automatically causing theintermittent opening and closing of the valve during the continuance ofthe flow of water into the tank, and after said other means has ceasedto be operative, substantially as set forth.

7. In an automatic cistern cut-off and filter, the filter-tank having adischarge-opening for dirty water and trash, a cut-off valve for theopening, a weighted lever connected with the valve-stem, a water-bucketsuspended from the valve-lever and normally overbalanced, and means forautomatically causing the intermittent filling and emptying of saidbucket during the continuance of the flow of water into the filter-tank,substantially as set forth.

8. In an automatic cistern cut-01f filter, the filter-tank provided witha bottom dischargeopening having a neck extended therefrom, a weightedlever carrying a valve arranged to cover and uncover said opening, awaterbucket suspended from the lever and normally overbalanced, saidbucket having a bottom vent-opening, a distributing-chamber arrangedbeneath said discharge-opening, and having a bottom drain-opening and anoverflow discharging into said bucket, and an overflow connection withthe discharge connection of the filter, said connection overhanging thewater-bucket, substantially as set forth.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with thefilter-tank and the valve mechanism including an oscillatory levercarrying a weight at one end and a waterreceiving bucket at the other,of a controlling device comprising a trip-lever carrying a float workingwithin the cistern and having one end thereof arranged over andoperating upon the end of the oscillatory valve-lever carryingthe'weight, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

' A. B. B. HARRIS.

WVitnesses:

JOHN H. SIGGERS, BERTRAM G. FOSTER.

